Teacher appreciation...

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Originally uploaded by tangledskeins

My daughter Mady had the best Kindergarten teacher this year. Truely a parent could not ask for more. Not only that, but she must have the patience of a saint! Her class was not the traditional half day Kindergarten, but a full day class. A full day with 20 6 year olds...like I said, the patience of a saint! Anyway, as a little thank you to her for such a wonderful year, Mady and I made her a little pretty...Mady picked which beads and closure we would use, and I put it together...I decorated the little box with some scrapbook elements just to make it a little more special. Thanks for a wonderful year Mrs. M...here is hoping she is still there in a year when it is Reilly's turn!

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Stevie the Spermie

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Originally uploaded by tangledskeins

My friend Steph and her hubby Steve are trying for their 8th child. In honor of that momentous feat, I made up this little keychain buddy. (I've since had another friend inquire about a baby toy sized version, so keep an eye out!)

Head:
With worsted weight yarn and size 4 dpn's, cast on 6 stitches.
(example uses Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in cloud)
R1-k6 around
R2-*k1, m1, k1* around
R3-*k2, m1, k1* around
R4-*k3, m1, k1* around
R5-*k4, m1, k1* around
R6-*k5, m1, k1* around
R7 to R9-k around
R10-k2tog, k3, k2tog
R11-k2tog, k1, k2tog
R12-k2tog, k1, k2tog
*do not bind off

Stuff Stevie's head with a tiny bit of polyfill or yarn scraps before continuing with the tail.

Tail:
R12+-3 stitch-cord for one inch
k2tog, cont. 2 stitch I cord for 1/2 inch
k2tog, cont single stitch for 1/2 inch.
bind off, leave a long tail.

Embroider his little face on with a scrap of dark wool (I used KP WotA in coal)

I fulled this little guy a bit by hand so the stitch definition would be less, but it really isn't necessary. After he had dried, I trimmed the yarn tail to about a quarter inch, and added a cute heart keychain fob.

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Gone Loopy Boa

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Originally uploaded by tangledskeins

I think this is going to be one of my favorite knit stitches yet...the loop stitch is so much fun! If you don't know how to do it, I have done a little video tut to help you out (with the help of my eldest daughter)


The pattern is very simple...

I'm using Lion brand Velvet Spun yarn in white, but I think this will work great with any plush yarn. I'm working it up on size 15 needles.

CO 3 stitches using the long tail cast on.

work 3 loop stitches as indicated in the video (knit first stitch, leave loop on left needle, pull working yarn through between worked stitch and remaining loop, catch over your thumb to make a large loop and bring back through the same space, knit loop on left needle, pass 1st knit stitch over, loop stitch created)

Continue knitting for length...I used 2 skeins of 54yds each for a nice long boa.



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Let it stretch!! Little Fire patterns

I have had a few people mention that they were having trouble getting the waistbands of the Little Fire wooly patterns loose enough to have enough stretch, even when using a larger hook for the foundation. I have found the answer...the no-chain foundation!! If you go here No Chain and scroll down to the bottom of the page, you will find instructions for doing the No Chain Double Crochet. Work this technique to length (one less dc than the number of dc's called for in the pattern) in place of the foundation chain and first row of dc in both Little Fire Patterns.
I tried it out myself on the Pirate shorties I just made for my son (incorporating a little stranding for a bit of fun) and it worked out fabulously. There is a small V at the join when following this technique, but it is easily stitched closed with the tail. The resulting stretchy waistband top is wonderful!
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